Emma Dowdell; Hair & Make-up Artist

The circle of people I'm surrounded with varies vastly, I have a dad in Retail, a mum thats a teacher, a boyfriend studying aeronautical engineering, friends studying Design, Law, Pharmaceuticals, English and god knows what else and then a sister that is a Professional Makeup Artist. Trained at Brushstroke, Pinewood and Shepperton Studio's (http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/)  Em is now in the real world and a freelance Makeup Artist. Since the beginning I have been a Guinea Pig for her and well, she is phenomenal, and no, I am not just being biased. Wait and see..

The reason I'm blogging about Em is because this year I hope she can finally kick start and filter into the industry she most desires to be within, along with my hope to blog about people that I believe are up-and-coming and well, I've been a barbie again recently. 

Lips is her obsession at the present moment, Jessie J inspired! When we went to the clothes show together she discovered the lip transfers and promptly bought 20 sets! 

The transfers are pretty amazing, not the easiest things in the world to cut out perfectly to the lip shape but I sure its something that comes with practice! And so.... I shall be having lots of stained lips. Transfers can be found online, above pink leopard print at: http://www.temporaryliptattoos.co.uk/)

Many times Emma has also helped me out with makeup too, for building my University entry portfolio and even distressing my actress in my A Level film project. Fashion, Fx, Character and Weddings are her thing and all can be found at www.emmadowdell.co.uk

For now, Some examples...

                                          

Please take the time to look at her website, 

Make up lessons, Eye lash extensions and more available!

Thanks!

B x

ELLE February 2012

The time has come where we begin to consult our magazines, catwalks, viral videos and the likes of the upcoming seasons fashion! Although it's still not snowed here in drizzly England, I still have sat and pondered over the forthcoming Spring/Summer collections of 2012. Colour, patterns and generally bold statements being made yet again. It all came to me through flicking through February's instalment of ELLE.

Listed 1 to 10 we got it broken down into the top looks for the season to come:
No.1. Viva colour
No.2. Fresh
No.3. Futurismo
No.4. Sport Revolution
No.5. Haute craft
No.6. Jazz age
No.7. Print extra
No.8. Mid-Century Modern
No.9. Ultragirl
No.10. Mash-up
So, my call on top picks consist of viva colour (perfect for coming out of the gloomy winter, sooner the better in my eyes), haute craft (amazing embellishments, cuts and symmetry) , jazz age (purely for the fact of my 20s research at the present moments captures my attention on the revived decade!), print extra (basically because it's fun, flamboyant and again 'jazzing it up' for the summer!!!), and finally ultra girl (for a sugary indulgence into feminism). Don't get me wrong, the rest are not bad, all also beautiful in their own rights just my personal preference. The look 10, Mash-up, has never been a favourite of mine, knits and leather should be kept apart for a reason!

        

 

Next, a few gorgeous pieces that also caught my eye on the styled pages! First up the white blazer with black trim, an Armani piece that is priceless ad once again on my wish list. So simple yet stylish for any woman and multiple outfits!

Then, there's the embellished Cavalli skirt and short jacket. Absolutely stunning to say the least, the craftsmanship involved in the two pieces is phenomenal, along with the print that is revealed in the pleated of the skirt, gorgeous for warmer evenings for a nice night out.

Again I hit my 1920's new found fondness, this time by Gucci, a take on a traditional flapper, revolutionised into a modern day take. From the hips to just above the knee beautiful gold black threads acting as the tassels to swing with the slightest movement. Symmetrical lines, a little less Deco than the traditional style.

Then there was McQueen, Lee Alexander may not be with us but his style has stayed loyal with Sarah Burtons soft pastel pink feathers and lace puffy layered skirt and cut away fitted top. Another design verging in garish but still I love the style for the fact of it being his name.

I suggest you get out there and buy your copy, it's time I re-subscribe and continue with the updates. I cannot wait for the blossoming season that is spring!

Enjoy, I know I will

All for now, thankyou

B x

Generosity

Hello there!!!
So, the kayos that's been building for months is finally over. All in 24 hours and 'poof'. The hundreds thats been spent is ate, drunk and surprises sprung on our loved ones. So, was Santa good to you all?

This year I wasn't bothered in the slightest with what I was getting so I didn't ask for one thing... Anyway surprises are always better! So opening my presents yesterday morning I was greeted by many lovely things, but I shall only share the fashion things with you :)
So.... First up, which was probably the most surprising gift from my parents... A Alexander McQueen scarf. Oh my god it is beautiful. I also received the Savage Beauty book, again it's beautiful with presentation and so on! However, slightly frustrating as I made a pledge to myself that I would not get it until his retrospect was brought to London.... I may not read it until that day instead! Sorry Alexander, morals!

I also got some makeup bits and pieces, a cute little max factor gift set in a cube tin, including mini eyeliner, mascara, lipgloss and two nail infinity nail varnishes. Used the mascara s eyeliners this morning and very much liked them on my stubby eyelashes! Shall be investing in a full sized one!

I've also turned all spotty this season... A cute little 80s style chiffon head band with a large bow on it from River Island thats comfortably and quite soft and light against my shortish hair at the moment along with a fibrous knitted leopard print jumper. Again it's so comfortable to wear and it actually really snug to wear although it's holey!!

Finally, a little Ted Baker makeup bag to keep my bits and pieces in, light weight and sweet pastel colours and soft girly print it's very cute. Inside it has a side zip and compartments allocated for brushes which is a bonus so I no longer have to rummage for ever to find my brushes!!

I also got a black and white polka dot skirt from River Island(no picture yet) that is going to be proper comfortable I can tell, I have another style in the same cut already!

So... There we go, my top fashion bits from my family.. Not to bad I don't think. However I also got other thing that are equally amazing, all in all I'm a VERY happy girl

Hope you are too,
All for now and enjoy the rest of your holidays x

B x

1920s on the brain

Hi all...
Dont think I've really said too much about my up coming styling project at University but I do have it constantly in my mind. 20's is my theme and all things glam and glittery is the aim! Anyway, been looking at the cloche hats out at the moment in River Island and Accessories... Not true to form but possibilities... Sorry again I diverse. When I was in River Island I saw this beautiful little beaded 20s style top, with £25 off! For such a small piece it is extremely heavy to hold but comfortable to wear. So simple yet lovely!
Anyway... Another thing added to my train of thought and well... I guess I could include it as research and place it in my sketch book! Hey-ho another dollar down!
All for nowww

B x

ASOS Fashion Forecast Shoot

For Christmas, I came back home from Uni and spent some time catching up with my old Textiles teacher from my 6th Form. In the course of conversation she was telling me how she wanted to try and 'gee' up the year 12 &13's whilst dragging them through the theory work, having been there, in hindsight, I would of loved a bit of fun like this.   So being a true fashionista, she turned retail for an idea. She received, like many of us, a email from ASOS with seasonal goodies and forecast's of what we 'must' purchase for the new season. 

So, seeing what the trend predictions were for the upcoming seasons she created a styling task, using only what the girls had at home already. There was Heritage, Cowboys and Indians, Colour, Wild, 60's, Fetish and Boy meets Girl. All a bit of fun with Claudia, the teacher also getting involved. 

So once the girls having been set their style a few weeks previously I opted to go in and take a couple of pictures for them so it wasn't a lost cause, and a way to promote the subject in the school to lower year groups, to show how diverse we are up in Textiles.      It was all good fun, some of the girls didn't really get into it as some of the others, but I loved it. It was great to work with different types of people and just to communicate with others that have never done anything like it, it was a learning curve for us all. Everyone was wonderful. My sister even came along to do some makeup and hair on a few of the girls that wanted it, check 'Wild's makeup and the '60s' beehive!!!

HERITAGE

Makeup artist:
www.emmadowdell.co.uk

Cowboys and Indians

Colour

WILD

60s

FETISH

BOY MEETS GIRL 

All the girls and Claudia


So, overall it was a good couple of hours, running around the school and trying to find different and varied locations for all the looks. Was fun and challenging. Hope you like the photo's and the girl's takes on what they think the next big things will be!!!

Take Care 

B x

Topshop

Just a quick message you lot, listen up..

I went to Lakeside, Thurrock today, crazy I know so close to Christmas!! Wasn't too bad surprisingly, anyway! 

I went to the newly refurbished, new Topshop, ooooh it is a gold mine! The mise en scene of the store, with beautifully high stands and the proper shoe department down the back. It is phenomenal. So much better than the old shop, which many a-time I found myself walking out in a rage due to the state of it. This one, totally different story, I literally had to be dragged out!!! It's safe to say Santa's getting a VERY long list to go just there itself. 

I must stress that you go and have a look, even if you don't buy. And look out for, as I put it, the Flamingo on drugs dress, its a cracker, every colour big chunky round sequins, in a little strapless number. Tempting just for the fun of it. 

I shall return, and I shall conquer. The burgundy lace shorts, the velvet platform boots, the pink cut away dress with embellished shoulders and the dog tooth high waisted shorts. OH, who cares. Give me one of everything!!!

Enjoy, I know you will..

A night at the department store

Sunday 4th December 2011, NEC Birmingham

It's that time of year again where kayos erupts in Birmingham in the form of Fashion, dance and a all over extravaganza! 

I went along and actually made it this year, I had tickets for last December but due to the crazy weather I physically could not get there alive.  So I made it, along with my sister and I hate to say I was a little disappointed in comparison to the previous years that I had gone. The media has done it again, over commercialised a event that now every Tom, Dick and Harry run's too.  However there was a few good bargains to grab and I managed to source a couple of christmas presents, always a bonus!  Again there was the stars of Hollyoaks and 'TOWIE', wonderful. Still I cant escape it!!!!  Im glad I didnt pay out for a platinum ticket this time, the only truly worthwhile part was the Fashion/Dance show. I LOVED IT, and even with my standard tickets, we had a pretty decent view. Unfortunately I didn't take my Canon SLR with me, but my little compact did a standard job. (see below)

George Lamb, Jade (winner of BiNTM 2011) and Grace Woodward.

The Risk

My favourite shot from the show

Jade

I would certainly pay time and time again to see these talented people do there thing and strut there stuff. The choreography, visual displays and styling was just amazing. Such an inspiring thing to watch... now to just get involved!

For anyone interested, don't let my opinion of the kayos put you off, if you havent done it before, it really is worth it for £20 odd quid, but if your down south like me, hit the London show in the Summer. Its near enough the same, and the shows are JUST as awesome! 

All for now, take care guys and girls 

B x